Air-Blown Optical Fiber Installation in Composite Power Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of conventional optical fiber composite electric power cables is complicated by the need for frequent optical fiber connection boxes, leading to significant optical loss and increased complexity in limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
An air-blown installation method and cable structure that includes a spirally wound air-blown installation tube for inserting optical fibers, eliminating the need for frequent optical fiber connection boxes by allowing continuous installation over longer distances using air pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical fiber composite electric power cable installation methods are used, then optical fiber connection boxes must be provided at every 300m region, but this increases device complexity and causes significant optical loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical fiber from the traditional connection box structure and integrates it directly into the power cable system through air-blown installation tubes embedded in the cable sheath. This eliminates the need for separate connection boxes at every 300m interval, reducing device complexity while maintaining optical signal integrity over longer distances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air-blown installation tubes as an intermediary structure within the power cable sheath. These tubes provide a protected pathway for optical fibers to extend beyond traditional connection box locations, enabling direct fiber routing and reducing the number of connection points required, thereby reducing optical loss and simplifying the overall installation
2Ease of operation
If optical fiber connection boxes are added to ensure space for connections, then connection space is provided, but this complicates the electric power cable connection box structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical fiber installation pathway directly into the power cable structure by embedding air-blown installation tubes within the cable sheath. This integration eliminates the need for separate connection boxes and complex spatial arrangements, simplifying both the connection box structure and the overall installation process while providing adequate space for fiber operations
3Reliability
If frequent optical fiber connection boxes are installed, then optical fiber connections are ensured, but this increases installation time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates air-blown installation tubes into the power cable during the cable manufacturing process, before field installation. This preliminary action ensures that the fiber pathway is already prepared and protected, eliminating the need for complex on-site connection box installations and reducing overall installation time and cost while maintaining connection reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method simplifies the installation process, reduces optical loss, and allows for longer continuous runs without the need for frequent optical fiber connections, thereby reducing installation time and cost.
Implementation Method 1
installing an optical fiber unit into the connected tubes by air pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is installation of an optical fiber composite electric power cable. An installation method of an optical fiber composite electric power cable includes installing an electric power cable including a conductor and an air-blown installation tube therein at an installation region; connecting tubes of adjacent electric power cables to each other, in an electric power cable connection box; and installing an optical fiber unit into the connected tubes by air pressure. Also, a cable structure used for installing the optical fiber composite electric power cable includes a conductor for electric power transmission; an insulator surrounding the conductor; an air-blown installation tube provided outside of the insulator; and a corrosion-protective layer provided to an outermost layer of the cable.